Slips and Falls Among Grocery Employees

Employees who work at grocery stores can sustain many different kinds of injuries on the job, but slips and falls are among the most common types of accidents and sources of injuries. Whether an employee works for a grocery or food department within a larger big-box store like Costco or Walmart, or at a standalone supermarket like Wegmans, Safeway, Giant Food, Trader Joe’s, or ALDI, slips and falls occur with some frequency. Although slips, trips, and falls can happen at nearly any place of employment — supermarket or otherwise — these accidents are especially frequent in grocery stores and grocery departments.

What do you need to know about slips and falls among grocery workers? Our Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers can provide you with the information you need to know.

Common Causes of Supermarket or Grocery Store Slips and Falls 

Supermarkets have a wide range of hazards that can lead to slips, trips, and falls among employees. Some of the most common causes of slips, trips, and falls among grocery store employees include the following:

• Slick floors after cleaning;
• Liquid spills in aisles, such as fallen juices or oils;
• Rain and snow melt in grocery store entryway; and
• Tripping hazards in aisles and storerooms.

Grocery stores should have policies and practices in place to help prevent slips, trips, and falls, including having a regular cleaning schedule and ensuring that all employees know to identify and address spills quickly and effectively.

Getting the Facts About Workplace Slips and Falls in Grocery Stores 

The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) tracks data related to falls to lower levels, as well as slips and falls, in workplaces including food markets. The following are some key facts and figures reported by the NFSI:

• Slips and falls are currently the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims;
• Slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of occupational injuries among employees 55 years old and up;
• Slick floors are the most common reason for slips and falls in grocery stores and other workplaces, and they account for about 85 percent of workers’ compensation claims arising out of slips, trips, and falls;
• Slips and falls result in more than a month away from work in more than 20 percent of slip and fall cases; and
• Workplace slips and falls cost about $70 billion annually across industries in compensation and medical costs.

Not only should managers and owners of supermarkets and grocery stores ensure that slick floors and liquid spills are made safe for employees, but these hazards can also lead to customer slips and falls, and resulting injury claims.

Types of Injuries in Food Market Slips, Trips, and Falls 

Slips and falls at grocery stories can cause a wide range of injuries, including but not limited to:

• Sprains;
• Strains;
• Fractures;
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); and
• Contusions.

Contact a Maryland Food Market Injury Lawyer

 If you were injured in a slip and fall accident while working at a supermarket, you should seek advice as soon as possible about obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. One of the experienced Maryland food market injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can discuss your case and your options with you today. Contact us for more information.

Source:

nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/